Ex-Sunderland scholar given two-year drugs ban

Former Sunderland scholar Lewis Gibbons is handed a two-year ban by the F.A after failing a drugs test.

Gibbons, who was subsequently released by Sunderland, has been given a mandatory two year ban from football after testing positive for substances found in cocaine and cannabis.

After testing positive for two prohibited substances following Sunderland’s U18’s match against Aston Villa on 22 September 2012, Gibbons admitted two breaches of The FA`s Anti-Doping Regulations.

A statement from Sunderland CEO Margaret Byrne on the club’s Official Site read as follows:

‘It was enormously disappointing for everyone at the club who works so hard to support our young players and give them every opportunity to make it as professional footballers.

‘We are strong advocates of the rigorous testing programme that our sport adheres to and we will continue to educate and advise all of our young players as to the enormous dangers of drug use.’